IHA Application: Seismic Surveys in Cook Inlet by Marathon Oil ...

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visibility when marine mammals are suspected of either approaching or within the safety radii. When feasible, observations will also be made during transits, moving cable, and other operations when guns are inactive. During seismic operations two observers will be based aboard the Arctic Wolf. Marine mammal observers (MMOs) will be hired by Marathon Oil Company, with NMFS consultation. One resident from the local native communities, who is knowledgeable about marine mammals of Cook Inlet may be included as part of the two member MMO team aboard the vessel. Observers will follow a schedule so observers will monitor marine mammals near the seismic vessel during all ongoing operations and poor-visibility start ups of the airguns. MMO(s) will normally be on duty in shifts no longer than 4 hours. The vessel crew will also be instructed to assist in detecting marine mammals and implementing mitigation requirements (if practical). Before the start of the seismic survey the crew will be given additional instruction on how to do so. The vessel is a suitable platform for marine mammal observations. When stationed on the flying bridge, the observer will have an unobstructed view around the entire vessel. If surveying from the bridge, the observer's eye level will be about 6 m (20 ft) above sea level. During operations, the MMO(s) will scan the area around the vessel systematically with reticle binoculars (e.g., 7 × 50 Bushnell or equivalent) and with the naked eye. Laser range finders (Leica LRF 1200 laser rangefinder or equivalent) will be available to assist with distance estimation. They are useful in training observers to estimate distances visually, but are generally not useful in measuring distances to animals directly. When mammals are detected within or about to enter the designated safety radius, the airgun(s) will be powered down (or shut down if necessary) immediately. The observer(s) will continue to maintain watch to determine when the animal(s) are outside the safety radius. Airgun operations will not resume until the animal is outside the safety radius. The animal will be considered to have cleared the safety radius if it is visually observed to have left the safety radius, or if it has not been seen within the radius for 15 minutes (beluga whales, harbor porpoise, seals, and sea lions) or 30 minutes (killer whales). All observations and airgun shut downs will be recorded in a standardized format. Data will be entered into a custom database using a notebook computer. The accuracy of the data entry will be verified by computerized validity data checks as the data are entered and by subsequent manual checking of the database. These procedures will allow initial summaries of data to be prepared during and shortly after the field program, and will facilitate transfer of the data to statistical, graphical, or other programs for further processing and archiving. Results from the vessel-based observations will provide: 1. The basis for real-time mitigation (airgun shut down). 36
2. Information needed to estimate the number of marine mammals potentially taken by harassment, which must be reported to NMFS. 3. Data on the occurrence, distribution, and activities of marine mammals in the area where the seismic study is conducted. 4. Information to compare the distance and distribution of marine mammals relative to the source vessel at times with and without seismic activity. 5. Data on the behavior and movement patterns of marine mammals seen at times with and without seismic activity. Reporting A report will be submitted to NMFS within 90 days after the end of the project. The report will describe the operations that were conducted and the marine mammals that were detected near the operations. The report will be submitted to NMFS, providing full documentation of methods, results, and interpretation pertaining to all monitoring. The 90-day report will summarize the dates and locations of seismic operations, and all marine mammal sightings (dates, times, locations, activities, associated seismic survey activities). The report will also include estimates of the amount and nature of potential “take” of marine mammals by harassment or in other ways. 14. Suggested Means of Learning of, Encouraging, and Coordinating Research Opportunities, Plans, and Activities Relating to Reducing such Incidental taking and Evaluating its Effects. Open-water seismic operations have been conducted in Alaska waters for over 25 years and, during this time there have been no noticeable adverse impacts from them on the marine mammal populations or their availability for subsistence uses. This includes seismic operations involving air gun arrays far more powerful than that proposed for the North Ninilchik project. Over the time period these larger air gun arrays have been used in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, bowheads, gray whales, and other species have increased to where they are approaching or at carrying capacity of the habitat. Furthermore, the subsistence harvest of bowhead whales has been very consistent over the last ten years among the whaling villages suggesting no decrease in their availability for harvest (Suydam and George 2004). While seismic studies have not been conducted in Cook Inlet, those referred above for the Alaska Arctic suggest the nearshore location, site characteristic, short time frame, limited number and length of time of active seismic operations each day, and relative small airgun array of the proposed seismic program should have no more than a negligible affect on the marine mammal populations. However, to further ensure that there will be no adverse effects resulting from the planned seismic operations, Marathon Oil Company will continue to cooperate with the NMFS, MMS, other appropriate federal agencies, the State of Alaska, CIMMC, Tyonek Village Council, the affected communities, and other 37
Page 1 and 2: APPLICATION FOR INCIDENTAL HARASSME
Page 3 and 4: Applicant Must Submit Either a Plan
Page 5 and 6: ecording, shooting, and possibly on
Page 7 and 8: Cable Deployment and Retrieval The
Page 9 and 10: Recording As outlined above VTS wil
Page 11 and 12: 2. The Date(s) and Duration of Such
Page 13 and 14: 3. Species and Numbers of Marine Ma
Page 15 and 16: during summer and fall appear to be
Page 17 and 18: the upper inlet, and some seals occ
Page 19 and 20: A small proportion of the Gulf of A
Page 21 and 22: Marathon Oil Company is requesting
Page 23 and 24: Take Calculation Example: 146 km x
Page 25 and 26: call (0.26-20 kHz) and ecolocate (4
Page 27 and 28: The operation of the airgun array h
Page 29 and 30: There is a relative lack of knowled
Page 31 and 32: cu in airguns in a 68.51 km² (26.4
Page 33 and 34: Power-down Procedures A power down
Page 35: harbor seals could be harvested for
Page 39 and 40: Funk, D.E., T.M. Markowitz, and R.
Page 41 and 42: Rugh, D.J., K.E.W. Shelden, C.L. Si

IHA Application: Seismic Surveys in Cook Inlet by Marathon Oil ...

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